|Victoria's POV|

-A Month Later-

The past weeks have been filled with tension. We had to stay cautious because the traitor was still among us. Someone inside the palace must have stolen those papers and given them to someone outside. The letter from Asim Pasha confirmed that one of the viziers had betrayed us.

Thank God the news hasn't spread, and even the viziers don't know the charges against them.

Every time I look at my belly, I realize that I didn't get to enjoy my pregnancy. I've been so stressed that the months have flown by.

As my due date approaches, my fear grows.. Childbirth has no specific time; all that will happen is that suddenly, one day, the baby will decide to come out, causing me a lot of pain.

Even though my aunt and Hümaşah sultan always try to make it seem easy, I often reply "You haven't even experienced it" This makes them laugh, as they haven't tried motherhood yet.

However, I can't deny my aunt's knowledge; during her childhood, she and my mother lived in a rather poor family. Their father died young, leaving their mother, who worked as a midwife.

My aunt helped her a lot.. After all the events.. the marriage of my aunt to a wealthy politician, my mother's encounter with the king, her pregnancy, and hiding... my aunt was the one who helped her.

Also, Caroline and I are in constant touch, and my relationship with Henry has improved in the last few months after he was angry with me for what happened.

------

After telling the maids to prepare the hamam for me, I headed there to get some rest. Mustafa's bath has a beautiful marble tub, and lately, I've been using it often. It make me feel relaxed and at ease.

"Thank you, you can leave" I said with a smile as I stepped into the tub, enjoying the warm water "Nisa, you stay with me" I added softly, as I've been uncomfortable being alone lately, just to take some precautions.

Nisa nodded and began lighting some candles.

"Nisa" I whispered without opening my eyes "don't you think Halime and Dilruba's calmness is strange?"

"Your Highness, I really wanted you to think about this" she said, as if she had been waiting to discuss it "I think she doesn't trust me anymore, and every time we talk, she just tells me to keep my eyes on you.. It's really frightening"

"It's the calm before the storm" I replied quietly, then opened my eyes and turned to her "Don't worry; nothing will happen to you.. This storm won't hit us; the winds will blow in the direction I desire"

She nodded, and after a few moments, we heard a knock at the door. I was surprised but signaled for Nisa to check who it was.

"Your Highness" she said after returning "there's a maid at the door saying that your Aunt Catherine wants me urgently.. it's about you"

I smiled slightly "She must have brought some herbs or something to make me drink in the bath"

"That might actually be good for you" she joked, as we had gotten used to Aunt Catherine and her strange remedies that she claims are beneficial for my pregnancy and will ease the delivery.

"Okay, go and come back quickly" I said with a smile, then returned to relax and closed my eyes.

It wasn't long before I heard the door creak open. The sound was a bit jarring, especially in this relaxing atmosphere filled with the lovely scent of jasmine.

"So, what's today's recipe?" I asked playfully, but I received no response, only the sound of footsteps approaching me.

I opened my eyes to see a face staring at me. It was terrifying, and I didn't even know who she was, but she seemed familiar.. a short girl with curly black hair.

Before I could react, she placed her hands on my shoulders and began to push me under the water. I didn't have time to catch my breath, and I struggled when her hands fully submerged me.

I grabbed her arms, trying to push her away.. Thanks to my training with albert since childhood, I managed to break free from her grip. But as soon as I lifted my head, she was more determined and pushed me under again.

She didn't give me any time to breathe, making my body weak, especially with the pregnancy.. I was truly suffering, and although I tried to fight back and not give in to the water, it seemed impossible. It felt like this was really the end for me.

------

|3rd Person POV|

Nisa entered lady Catherine's room but found it empty, which puzzled her since her maid was also missing. She decided to search for her in some usual spots.

On her way, she met Sedef Hatun, who was with her maid and seemed to be heading to her room. Nisa bowed respectfully, as she was, of course, a Sultana's mother.

"Nisa" Sedef said in surprise "what are you doing here, and where is Victoria?"

The surprise was evident in her tone; Nisa always accompanied Victoria, especially in the last few months. Victoria had previously told Sedef that she trusted Nisa completely.

"Victoria is in the hamam" Nisa replied with a smile "One of the maids came and told me that lady Catherine wanted me urgently, but I couldn't find her anywhere"

"Then ask her maid and don't leave Victoria alone" Sedef said calmly.

"The girl who came isn't Aunt Catherine's maid" Nisa replied "Okay, I'll go now to find her and come back to..."

She didn't finish her sentence, as Sedef's face showed some shock and realization. The girl who came was strange, which was enough for her to realize ... Without saying anything, Sedef hurried to the bath where Victoria was, only to see that the two maids guarding the door were lying on the ground. She didn't know if they were unconscious or dead, but the trap was clear.

They began trying to open the door, but it seemed to be locked from the inside. Nisa started to rush and scream for help, but Sedef understood that it was urgent and there was no time to waste.

She looked around, then grabbed the nearest chair, despite its weight, and began to hit the door with all her might to break it down.

------

|Victoria's POV|

I started to feel my body relax, and my grip was fading. I felt betrayal, anger, sadness ... everything.

Whoever planned this did it perfectly. They chose the most vulnerable time for me. I knew that if this happened elsewhere and under different circumstances, I would have overcome her with or without a sword, but now it was too late.

I realized I had little time left before I would lose consciousness or die.

I heard loud banging on the door and I hoped it was someone coming for me to end this nightmare.

Suddenly, I felt the hands that once held me down in the water were now pulling me up. Since my mind couldn't comprehend anything anymore, I surrendered completely..Maybe it's not the same hands; maybe it's the hands of someone else.

---

There were many voices around me, and the image was blurry. I felt something warm wrapping around my body while something red was on the ground.

As the picture became a little clearer, I saw that strange girl lying on the floor, her leg surrounded by blood, but she wasn't dead.

"Victoria, are you okay?" Sedef said, splashing water on my face before she began helping me drink some.

I couldn't respond because I was exhausted, and there was so much pain coursing through my body.

"Victoria" I heard my aunt screaming as she rushed into the hamam "Oh my God!" she started panicking while Nisa cried, and right behind them stood Hümaşah Sultan, looking shocked.

"This isn't the time for shock" I saw Sedef shouting at everyone "Help me get her to her room and find her something to wear"

As Nisa and Sedef helped me to stand, I tried to walk slowly, but suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my belly... something I had never felt before, not even when I was shot in my arm three years ago while a guard was chasing us, trying to kill me.

Without realizing it, I screamed, not knowing what was happening to me. Would I lose my baby? Did something happen to my baby? My mind was flooded with dark thoughts.

"Oh my God!" Sedef gasped "It's time for the birth!"

After that, everyone began running in different directions while I felt unbearable pain. They struggled to get me to my room, and after much effort, they succeeded.

"Aunt, do something, please" I cried, trying to lie back down on my bed "I can't bear the pain!"

"Victoria" Hümaşah Sultan said sharply, gripping my hand on one side while my aunt held the other "You have to be strong... this is the most important moment. You must give it your all"

How could I explain to her that I had no strength left? I had lost it all trying to survive.

"Is Victoria in danger?" Sedef asked anxiously as one of the doctors entered.

"No, it's time for the birth" replied the doctor as she began preparing herself, washing her hands in warm water.

---

|Third Person POV|

Halime Sultan stood up quickly, shocked to hear that Victoria had been attacked in the bathroom... She wasn't worried for her daughter-in-law, but she was horrified by the thought that someone else could be behind this.

"Could it be Dilruba?" Halime asked Menekşe.

"I don't think so.. The girl who tried to do this isn't someone we trust" Menekşe replied, jumping as another maid rushed in through the door.

"Valide Sultan" the maid said, bowing with a pale face "Victoria... it's time for the birth"

"Oh my God!" Halime exclaimed, her eyes widening, but she quickly asked "The doctor knows what to do, right?"

"Don't worry, Sultana.. The doctor just arrived at Victoria's room moments ago" the maid replied without lifting her head.

"Okay, go and keep me updated" Halime instructed, gesturing for her to leave.. then she turned to Menekşe "The timing of this assassination attempt is perfect.. Let's just let's just pray.. a şehzade then a funeral for Victoria afterward"

---

|Victoria's POV|

My screams echoed throughout the room while my aunt held my hand, and Hümaşah and Sedef offered me encouraging words, but none of it felt helpful at all.

It was maddening to feel so weak and wanting only to sleep, yet suddenly I had to bring a child into the world... it was more painful both physically and mentally than I could handle.

"Come on, push, Victoria" my aunt said, watching the doctor closely "It won't be long now"

She tried to motivate me, but in reality, it felt like we were just at the beginning.

Minutes flew by, and my hair was now not only wet from water but drenched in sweat.. My body felt hot, and I thought I might faint... I had to fight... I had to try... I had to be strong... this was what echoed in my mind.

"Come on, Your highness, we could lose the baby if you take too long!" the doctor urged, placing her hand on my belly.

What she said terrified me... countless women lose their babies during childbirth... sometimes they lose their own lives too.

"I think this birth will take a long time" the doctor said with concern.

"Okay, step back a little" my aunt said, releasing my hand and moving in front of the doctor.

"What are you doing?" the doctor asked, startled.

"I know exactly what I'm doing" my aunt responded, looking back at me "Victoria, darling, focus on me and do what I say"

In that moment, I truly felt that I was just a step away from death, but I had to give birth to my child, even if it meant my own life was at stake. Maybe I'd hold him or her for a short while, then say goodbye, leaving Mustafa and my aunt with a memory of me... a memory they would cherish.

I shook my head quickly, feeling once again Hümaşah Sultan grip my right hand, and Sedef sat on the other side, wiping the sweat from my face.

I now knew I had enough support, and despite the difficulties, I had to push with all my strength.

After what felt like a long time, filled with painful screams and incredible agony, with everyone helping me and my aunt, even Hümaşah Sultan joining her side... finally, the room filled with the sound of a small baby crying... just like an angel.

"Congratulations, Victoria, you did it" Hümaşah Sultan said with a warm smile, looking at me before turning her gaze to the baby "The heir is born"

That was the last thing I heard before my strength faded away, and everything went dark.

______________________

Heyyyy ... Sorry for being a bit late... This was supposed to be 2 chapters but I decided to put them together into one... Love u guys 🤍🦋